'Youth' arrested over fire at QEGS

POLICE have confirmed a youth has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

The fire broke out in the boy's toilets in the Green Road school's main teaching block around Midday on Friday.

The secondary school's 950 pupils were evacuated and had to stand outside with staff for around 40 minutes while fire crews from Ashbourne and Wirksworth tackled what has been described as a 'small' fire.

Head teacher Ann Martin said she was proud of the staff and pupils for their efficiency in clearing the building and confirmed there had been no serious damage to the school.

In text messages released shortly after the blaze the school told parents: "We have had a small fire at school. Everyone is safe and the students are now having lunch.

"This afternoon will continue as normal and we will close at 3.55pm."

A full story will appear in this week's Ashbourne News Telegraph, on sale on Wednesdsay.